Taking care of your pets chompers is just as important as keeping your own teeth in check! Regular brushing can prevent tooth decay and keep their smile shining bright.
Signs Your Pet Might Need a Dental Check-Up:
- Stinky breath that could clear a room
- A red line along the gums (hello, gingivitis!)
- Gums that bleed
- Teeth with brown or yellow deposits on their surface
- Struggling to eat
If your dog or cat has breath that could knock out a skunk, it might be a sign of gum disease. Plaque and tartar build-up unleash a bacteria that leads to those unpleasant odours. Plaque is a clingy layer that covers your pets teeth, its made from saliva, food, and bacteria that hardens into tartar—yikes!
Ways to Keep Those Chompers Clean:
- Regular vet check-ups: Every six months if possible, but at least once a year!
- Brushing: Yes, it may feel like wrestling a greased pig at first, but with patience, your pet can learn to love it! Just a few minutes each day can work wonders.
- Dental gel: If brushing is a no go, this can be a decent backup plan—just remember, it’s not as effective.
- Dental treats: These yummy treats help stop the tartar forming—pair them with brushing for the ultimate team-up!
- Chew toys: These are like mini toothbrushes, scrubbing tartar and giving gums a good massage.
- Special dental diet: This food is specially created with dental disease in mind—while it won’t remove tartar completely, it helps keep it under control!
Training Your Pet for Tooth Brushing:
With a bit of patience and a little time, your pet can learn to love the toothbrush! Start early if you can. Need a hand? Ask the Kibbles team for a demo!
- Grab a pet-friendly toothbrush from Kibbles.
- Use tasty toothpaste made just for pets—no human stuff allowed!
- Make it a daily habit. Position your pet so their back is to you for less drama.
- You might need a helper, but start by gently touching their mouth and rewarding them. Gradually introduce the toothbrush, pull back those lips, and touch those teeth—remember to reward with treats for every tiny step!
Why Dental Health Matters:
Dental disease is one of the most common diseases for pets! Keeping their mouths healthy is crucial for a happy, pain-free life. Watch for signs like pawing at their mouth, bad breath, or odd eating habits—like dropping food or chewing strangely.
If Dental Treatment is Needed:
If the Kibbles crew suggests your pet needs a dental, they’ll spend the morning in the care of our fabulous team. They might get a little pre-op test (blood work), and IV fluids to help maintain a stable procedure. We’ll snap some X-rays of those chompers too, this is to ensure we know exactly what we are dealing with.
Remember, it’s never too late to start brushing! The Kibbles team is ready to help you create the perfect dental care plan for your furry friend!
